It’s been two years since my fiancé surprised me with an incredible anniversary stay over in Knaresborough and whilst my beautiful mother-in-law to be was visiting, I knew that I couldn’t let her leave the UK without visiting this incredible place.

I am ashamed to say that I didn’t even know this place existed until two years ago, so now I grab any excuse to back there with both hands. Knaresborough is accessible by train and is only around a 40-minute train journey from Leeds so it’s ideal for a day trip or a cheeky stop-over.

I can highly recommend Mother Shipton’s cave as a unique experience with your friends or family. It has so much history, a cave and a wishing well. Honestly, it’s so beautiful and it’s only a short walk from the train station. There is a small cost to enter and I think it’s around £5.50. It’s one of the oldest tourist attractions in England, so if you like a bit of history then this could be right up your alley.

You’ll definitely build up a bit of an appetite while you’re exploring Mother Shipton’s surroundings and I can highly recommend The Worlds End pub, which is near the entrance of Mother Shipton – the food was just delicious. There is also a Mother Shipton’s pub just as you leave the forest. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to pull in for a drink there but it’s definitely on my list for next time. If you have been in there, please let me know what you think.

It was quite windy during our visit, but something I really want to do next time is hire a canoe and have a little row down the canal. The exquisite surroundings are something I feel everyone would enjoy. I am not sure how much it was to rent one but I don’t think it is too expensive.

Something a lot of people weren’t aware of was the Knaresborough castle. It’s not a long walk but it’s a steep one so make sure you have some good footwear on. This is where you will get the best views and take in everything that is Yorkshire. We paid to go into the castle which was around £3.00, it’s not very big but hey it’s always pretty cool to say that you have stepped into a castle (game of thrones style). The dungeons were very interesting and you can see the drawings that the guards carved into the wall – see if you can spot them next time you’re there.

This town is so peaceful and everything that I expect Yorkshire to be, culture, history, friendly people, the lot. I would recommend Knaresborough to anyone, I really don’t think you would be disappointed. If you did want to stay over, then I can highly recommend the General Tarleton, this is where Gareth took me for our surprise anniversary a few years ago and I am desperate to head back there soon.

Let me know if you have been to this town before, and if you have any recommendations for me to visit in Yorkshire, then that would be awesome.